@ Road expands its Chennai facility

@ Road Software India, a global provider of mobile resource management solutions, has expanded its facility in Chennai to 10,000 sq ft. The company plans to ramp up its headcount to anywhere between 200 and 900 from the present 100 in the near future.

At Road Software India's parent company, @Road Inc, has invested in excess of Rs 10 crore in its Chennai operations in the past five years.

"Chennai is being looked at as the Asian hub and is the most cost-effective place to invest. The focus is on Chennai as we expand," said Rajan Aiyer, country manager, @ Road.

The Chennai facility focuses on research and development, pre-sales, lead generation, technology support, quality assurance and technical documentation. "Anything that can be 'back-officed' is done out of Chennai," Aiyer added.

@Road is a Fremont-based, Nasdaq-listed software company that provides mobile resource management solutions that help large and small companies track their mobile workers and assets.

This helps companies increase their field workforce productivity and service delivery In the US. @Road services companies in the telecom, cable, utilities, transportation and distribution, facilities and waste management and construction industries.

@Road plans to launch its commercial operations in India in 2006 and is already in talks with a few players. It will target cellular operators, logistics intermediaries, fleet owners and automotive manufacturers to market its solutions.

"After we launch our commercial operations in India, we shall use India as a model and a launch pad to target China and Japan," Aiyer remarked.